Utah Jazz: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

By KC Whitten | Oct 10, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz celebrates the Jazz win at the end of Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 96-91 to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

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Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images /

4. Royce O’Neale’s potential breakout season

Last year in his first season with the Utah Jazz, Ricky Rubio had a breakout season. He posted career highs in points per game, 3-point percentage and field goal percentage. The 2018-19 season could be Royce O’Neale’s breakout year.

After playing professionally in Europe for two years, O’Neale joined the Jazz last season after an impressive showing in Summer League. Used sparingly the first three months of the season, when Thabo Sefolosha was lost due to injury in January, O’Neale took advantage of his opportunity to become part of the rotation.

He eclipsed double-digit scoring eight times in the latter half of the season, and made his biggest impact in the playoffs. He was one of the Jazz’s best defenders in their second round series against the Houston Rockets, and also had two 17-point games.

With his late season emergence and Sefolosha missing the first five games of the season due to suspension, O’Neale should have a firm spot in the rotation. His defensive prowess fits with the culture in Salt Lake City. If he finds consistency scoring on the offensive end, 2018-19 will be a breakout year for O’Neale.

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